Immigrant Serving Agencies and You

Majority of these agencies offer soft skills- resume building, job interview, job search, language improvement. If you are already proficient in these skills, they have really nothing new to offer in this area.  There is also duplication of those soft services.


There are a few who offer good solid bridging programs but the number of spots is limited and is sometimes tied to your financial standing.  These organizations are well intentioned but you have to take a close look at how operate.

It is also a numbers game and they need you to hit their quota and justify these programs.
Point is you should cast a discerning eye on what they truly have to offer.


By: Zulueta Learning

Volunteering for Canadian Experience

One of the tips that are normally given for a newcomer  who do not have Canadian experience  is to volunteer to work for an employer to get that Canadian experience. This is a hard choice and personally, I do not agree with this. I think this devalues your skills as an internationally experienced individual.


For most part of your career as an immigrant professional, it is a fact that you would be receiving less income than your Canadian trained counterpart. So why start your work like that? I believe most of the provinces have work training programs for people who are underemployed, or have been difficulty finding a job, maybe not specifically catered to newcomers but if they are there, I would avail of them.


To me, working for free, is supporting that underlying belief that your skills and experience are not good enough because you are not educated/ trained here. It is not an easy decision but those decisions have to be made. I know, this decision now might not bring food to the table, but let's hope - in the longer run will work for you and make you feel that you made the right choice by coming out here.


Zulueta Learning is a website hosted by internationally trained professional. Contact us at info@zuluetalearning.com

When to Upgrade

When should you take these courses for upgrading? I say the best time is while you are working.  I think to get your foot into the door in working in the field of AEC, the very least is that you should be proficient  in software is Autocad, that’s it. The rest of courses and skills enhancement you need, you will be able to figure out afterwards. There is no sense in spending all that money in courses that you might not eventually use, specially while you are going through a career transition.


I know it’s some sort of psychological thing where you feel you are doing something to get closer to your goal.  The reality is you might be wasting precious time and money. Personally, I took several courses that cost me thousands of dollars that has not really helped me in terms of getting the job or job advancement. So,  take your time and choose your skills upgrades/ courses wisely.


By: Zulueta Learning, an educational tool for newcomers and immigrant professionals in the AEC industry. Contact information mailto:info@zuluetalearning.com